OGMIOS MIESTAS

About object:

Ogmios Miestas is a multifunctional complex located to the north from Vilnius city centre on the right bank of Neris, in Žirmūnai microdistrict. It is a 12-hectare territory, whose owners had a creative outlook towards the future development of their property. The conversation with architects began 12 years ago, when creative workshops were held with the intent of finding purposeful future visions for the development of this potent industrial area.

From the very beginning, architects ran into various creative challenges, and participated in discussions with the businesspeople looking for an appropriate development strategy.

Aiming to create a public space that meets the 21st century needs for comfortable movement and efficient use of time, an idea developed to break free from the stereotypical shopping centre characteristics – rather than being a single-function facility, it became a multifunctional, polycentric complex.

A multi-stage design approach was chosen, where the territory slowly gains its image and the changes develop gradually. This is a natural, flexible way of development as opposed to the static urban design practices of the 20th century. The idea of a multi-stage process correlates with the way old town areas have developed, where the main form of urban composition are perimeter block developments with clearly defined streets and clear sequences of spaces linking to other blocks.

After deciding on a multi-stage approach, the first building was particularly important, because, as time proved later on, it became the example that validated all the hypothetical ideas. It was the Jurgis ir Drakonas restaurant and the urban public space – a square nearby. It became the main point of reference in the further ideological development of the project. Transforming old pre-existing spaces and buildings in an attractive and convenient manner attracts people and activities.

Now, 12 years on, one of the most prominent first impressions of Ogmios Miestas is that it has plenty of space for cars but everything is optimised to the last millimetre.

This is another step towards breaking away from stereotypes, as in terms of mobility, priority is given to pedestrians without completely eliminating traffic. The authors of the design optimised street profiles, slowing down vehicle speeds. Despite restrictions on traffic flow, the cars are still respected in a way. Parking areas are designed following the spatial axes of the nearby streets, linking together four entrances. Parking lots at Ogmios Miestas are designed to be representative spaces, like the front facade, linking to the main entrances.

All such landscaping solutions act together to create a unique space for business, attracting visitors and citizens. The authors themselves state that the vision for Ogmios Miestas is to become universally accessible, equalling parks. In the context of the city – a recreational area.
Greta Trapikienė